Diane J. Zelmer
Zelmer Law
150 North Federal Highway
Suite 230
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Map
Phone: (954) 400-5055
http://www.zelmerlaw.com
Estate Planning, Trusts, Litigation & Probate Matters
Legal Topic
Estate Planning
Preferred New Clients
Estate Planning
Sub-Topics
Asset Protection
Business Succession Planning
Charitable Giving
Estate Litigation
Insurance Law
- Annuities
- Auto Accident & Property Claims
- Bad Faith
- Life Insurance
- Property & Casualty
Living Wills
Power of Attorney
Probate & Estate Administration
Securities & Investments
- Foreign Investment
- Shareholder Disputes
Tax Law
- Audit Defense
- Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
- IRS Disputes
- IRS Filing & Compliance
- Negotiating IRS Payments & Settlements
- Power of Attorney
- Property Taxes
- Tax Planning
Trusts
- Charitable Trusts
- Living Trusts
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trusts
- Special Needs Trusts
- Supplemental Needs Trusts
Wills
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
Business Law
Sub-Topics
Admiralty & Maritime Law
- Jones Act
Business Litigation
Commercial Law
- Breach of Contract
- Contract Disputes
Construction
- Commercial Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Construction Disputes
- Dangerous Property
- Government Construction Contracts
- Mechanics' Liens
Government Contracts
- Defense Contracts
- Defense Procurement
- Federal Contracts
- Government Construction Contracts
- State & Municipal Contracts
Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
Bankruptcy
Sub-Topics
Business Bankruptcy
Chapter 11
Chapter 13
Chapter 7
Credit Disputes
Creditor Harassment
Debt Relief
Family Farmer Bankruptcy Chapter 12
Foreclosure
Garnishments
Personal Bankruptcy
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
Elder Law
Sub-Topics
Elder Law
- Advanced Health Care Directive
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Proxy
- Medicaid & Medicare Planning
- Powers of Attorney
- Tax Planning
Bar Admissions
FL, Sep 2006
Bar Number: 27251
Other Court Admissions
Florida
Association Memberships
• Commercial Real Estate Women
• American Bar Association, Construction Industry Forum and Litigation Section
• Steering Committee Member of Division 7 - Liens, Bonds and Surety (2010-11)
• Chair of the Bankruptcy/Creditor Rights Working Group (2010-11)
• Second Liason to the Publication Committee (2010-11)
• Fellowship Award Recipient (2010-13)
• Florida Bar Association, Real Property Probate Trust Law Section, Construction Law Section, Construction Law Committee
• Broward County Bar Association, Construction Law Committee
• FDOT Dispute Resolution Board
Continuing Education
I attend continuing legal education seminars with the Real Property Probate Trust Law Section, Florida Construction Law Committee, American Bar Association, and on topics of construction, bankruptcy and estates and trusts.
Papers and Publications
• Constitutional Law: Convicting Detainees For Refusing to Answer Law Enforcement's Commonsense Inquiries Makes No Commonsense, 57 Fla. L. Rev. 459 (April 2005)
• Is Recovery of Home Office Overhead an "All or Nothing" Proposition?, The Florida Trans. Builder (Apr. 2010)
• What Every Homeowner Needs to Know About Construction Liens, Lawyer's Corner, Harbor News (June 2011)
• The Interplay of Florida's Building Codes, Valued Policy Law and Law and Ordinance Coverage, Lawyer's Corner, Harbor News (July 2011)
• Florida Hurricane Disaster Recovery, a legal resource dedicated to insurance disaster recovery issues
Example Cases
In respect of confidentiality of my clients, I do not disclose case information absent client consent.
Education
University of Florida, Levin College of Law
Juris Doctorate
Gainesville
FL
2006
Order of Coif
Law Review Best Research Award, Book Award Recipient in Estate Planning
Florida Atlantic University
Bachelor of Sciences
Boca Raton
FL
2003
Summa Cum Laude
Student of the Year Award in School of Accounting
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Florida
Firm Focus and History
My firm focuses on litigation, trusts and estates. I recently established my firm in the beginning of 2011.
Previous Employment Summary
I have large firm experience with Shutts & Bowen, LLP as well as experience with the construction firm of Vezina, Lawrence & Piscitelli, P.A.
Activities and Awards
Pro Bono work for the Volunteer Lawyer's Project
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I think it is very important for clients to be fully informed of the legal issues to enable them to make the best decisions.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I prefer to prepare documents on behalf of my clients, primarily because I think it is in the best interests of my clients.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am willing to answer questions and consult with clients, but prefer to act as a client's representative, primarily because I think it is in the best interests of my clients.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
People used to tell me I was too nice to be a lawyer, but I became a lawyer because I wanted to distinguish my practice from that of the typical lawyer humor. I care about providing effective and efficient representation that is in the true best interests of my clients.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I was born in Humble, Texas and raised most of my life in Colwich, Kansas, a small town outside of Wichita. I earned my B.S. by attending night school while I worked through the day as a paralegal. I have worked in every position in a law firm and identify with clients and their needs. I, myself, have been involved in issues that require legal representation, including suffering property damage from Hurricane Wilma. Drawing from my personal and professional experience, I launched www.floridahurricanedisasterrecovery.com to provide an online legal resource to others similarly situated.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I chose to practice in a both estate planning because I enjoy assisting people making important decisions that will allow them to take care of, and share part of themselves, with loved ones. I enjoy the reflection and completion of leaving a legacy behind. I also chose to combine that practice with litigation because in some cases litigation is the only way to resolve disputes in my clients' best interests.
What do you like best about your career?
I enjoy the opportunity to assist others and educate them about various legal issues.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner so all of my clients can expect to work directly with me.
What are your strengths and style?
I have strong legal research and writing skills, and advocate vigorously for clients' rights in litigation matters. My litigation experience assists me in representing my client’s best interests in transactional matters. In trusts and estates, I have extensive knowledge and experience in the various areas of the law that affect clients' planning decisions.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy golfing, running and boating.
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
I am also available by email and cellular during non-working hours and on weekends.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I offer fixed flat fees for estate planning and other transactional matters.
Hourly Rates
$250 per hour
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes.
Typical Retainer
I typically charge a retainer of $500 for transactional matters, and $1,000 to $5,000 for litigation matters.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
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